Using the physical realities and commands in the Torah to teach deeper spiritual truths was not new for Paul. Moses did it when he taught about being circumcised in heart – and not just in the flesh( Deuteronomy 30:6). Yeshua, of course, did it consistently, especially in the Sermon on the Mount( Matthew 5-7). In fact, this method of teaching is so pervasive in the Scriptures, that we could miss that it is a required method of interpretation to explain critical theologies like being born again, and the resurrection. Remember how Yeshua spoke to Nicodemus that as a teacher of Israel, he should know about needing to be born again to enter into the kingdom of God( John 3:1-15). It is a very important concept when it is the context John uses in 3:16-21 to explain God’ s heart for mankind and our opportunity for salvation.
Take the Tabernacle as a picture of what God intended our hearts to be like. While most elements of the Tabernacle were made of wood or gold, the covers of the Tabernacle were made of skins from different animals( Exodus 26:14). So, what is inside the Tabernacle is like what is‘ inside’ your skin, and what is outside the Tabernacle is like what is going on externally within you. Outside the Tabernacle is the courtyard with the altar and the laver. The courtyard had boundaries which kept the common and unclean things out. Notice that none of the offerings are within the Tabernacle – instead, they are always on the altar in front of the Tabernacle.
A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 • T I K K U N A M E R I C A R E S T O R E | 1 8